Air conditioner condensate collector

ABSTRACT

A condensate collector for an air conditioner window unit. The condensate collector includes a pan including walled sides. Two or more connectors are provided for connecting the condensate collector to the air conditioner window unit. A first one of the connectors is located on one side of the pan and a second one of the connectors is located on an opposite side of the pan from the first one of the connectors. A sponge is removably positioned within the pan, and a drain is provided including an aperture in the pan. A method of collecting condensate from an air conditioner window unit is further provided.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application No. 61/855,027, filed May 8, 2013 which is incorporated by reference as if fully set forth.

BACKGROUND

Air conditioners are frequently provided as self-contained units (hereinafter “window units”), configured for installation in a window or other aperture in a building. Such units include an evaporator, a condenser, a pump and all necessary components in a single package. This configuration allows for portability and easy repurposing. However, water which condenses on the evaporator coils is typically drained from the unit in close proximity to the exterior of the building in which the unit is mounted. Depending on where the unit is installed, the draining water may be a nuisance or a safety concern.

SUMMARY

This Summary introduces simplified concepts that are further described below in the Detailed Description of Illustrative Embodiments. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter and is not intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

A condensate collector for an air conditioner window unit is provided. The condensate collector includes a pan including walled sides. Two or more connectors are provided for connecting the condensate collector to the air conditioner window unit. At least a first one of the connectors is located on one side of the pan and at least a second one of the connectors is located on an opposite side of the pan from the first one of the connectors. A sponge is removably positioned within the pan, and a drain is provided including an aperture in the pan.

Further, a combination air conditioner window unit and condensate collector is provided. The combination includes an air conditioner window unit configured for attachment in a window. The combination further includes a condensate collector including a pan comprising walled sides. Two or more connectors are provided. The connectors are positioned on opposite sides of the pan removably connecting the condensate collector to the air conditioner window unit. A sponge is provided removably positioned within the pan, and a drain is provided including an aperture in the pan.

Further, a method of collecting condensate from an air conditioner window unit is provided. The method includes providing a condensate collector. The condensate collector includes a pan including walled sides, two or more connectors located on opposite sides of the pan, a sponge removably positioned within the pan, and a drain comprising an aperture in the pan. The method further includes removably connecting the condensate collector to the air conditioner window unit using the two or more connectors.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S)

A more detailed understanding may be had from the following description, given by way of example with the accompanying drawings. The Figures in the drawings and the detailed description are examples. The Figures and the detailed description are not to be considered limiting and other examples are possible. Like reference numerals in the Figures indicate like elements wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a condensate collector connected to an air conditioner window unit;

FIG. 2 shows a plan view of the condensate collector of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a side elevation view of the condensate collector of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows a front elevation view of the condensate collector of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 shows a section view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 shows a section view taken along lines 6-6 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 shows an exploded perspective view of the condensate collector; and

FIG. 8 shows a flowchart of method of collecting condensate from an air conditioner window unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENT(S)

Referring to FIG. 1-7, a condensate collector 10 is shown. The condensate collector 10 comprises a pan 12 with walled sides 14. Connectors 16 include chains with hooked ends 18. Alternatively, the connectors 16 can include wires, ropes, cables, or other flexible or rigid attachment features. The pan 12 includes a pitched surface 20 which directs water to a drain 22 including an aperture 24 in the pan 12 and a tube 26 extending from the pan 12. A valve 28 is connected to the tube 26. A sponge 30 is removably positioned in the pan 12 and held in place via friction with the walled sides 14.

Referring to FIG. 1, an air conditioner window unit 40 configured for attachment in a building window such as an office or residence is shown in a manner in which it would attach to and extend outside of an opened window. Connectors 16 removably connect the condensate collector 10 to the air conditioner window unit 40. Hooked ends 18 of the connectors 16 are attached to vent apertures 42 of the window unit 40 such that the condensate collector 10 hangs from the air conditioner window unit. Alternatively the connectors 16 can attach to the window unit 40 via other suitable apertures or attachment features on the window unit 40.

While the air conditioner window unit 40 is in operation, water condensate runs down into the condensate collector 10 from a drain on the window unit 40 where it is absorbed by the sponge 30. The sponge 30 promotes evaporation of condensate and inhibits the growth of mold and insect larvae. A user can release water from the pan by opening a valve 28. Alternatively the valve 28 can be replaced with a cap or plug for removably stopping the drain 22. A user can connect a hose or other piece of flexible or solid tubing to an end of the valve 28 to direct water to a desired location when the valve is open, for example for irrigating a garden or potted plant. The sponge 30 is optionally removable by a user allowing water to collect in the pan 12 facilitating irrigation activities.

Referring to FIG. 8, a method 100 of collecting condensate from an air conditioner window unit is provided. In a step 102 a condensate collector is provided including a pan comprising walled sides, two or more connectors on opposite sides of the pan, one or more sponges removably positioned within the pan, and a drain including an aperture in the pan. In a step 104 the condensate collector is removably connected to the air conditioner window unit using the two or more connectors. The method can further include removably connecting the condensate collector to the air conditioner window unit by connecting hooked members of the condensate collector to vent apertures of the air conditioner window unit. The method 100 can further include providing the drain with a valve and opening the valve to drain collected condensate from the pan.

Although features and elements are described above in particular combinations, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that each feature or element can be used alone or in any combination with the other features and elements. While embodiments have been described in detail above, these embodiments are non-limiting and should be considered as merely exemplary. Modifications and extensions may be developed, and all such modifications are deemed to be within the scope defined by the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A condensate collector for an air conditioner window unit, the condensate collector comprising: a pan comprising walled sides; at least two connectors, the at least two connectors located on opposite sides of the pan for connecting the condensate collector to the air conditioner window unit; at least one sponge removably positioned within the pan; and a drain comprising an aperture in the pan.
 2. The condensate collector of claim 1, wherein the at least two connectors comprise at least two hooked members.
 3. The condensate collector of claim 1, wherein the at least two connectors comprise four hooked members, wherein two of the four hooked members are connected to a first side of the pan and another two of the four hooked members are connected to a second side of the pan opposite the first side of the pan.
 4. The condensate collector of claim 1, wherein the sponge is connected to the pan via friction with the walled sides.
 5. The condensate collector of claim 1, wherein the pan comprises a pitched surface for directing liquid to the drain.
 6. The condensate collector of claim 1, further comprising a tube extending from the drain.
 7. The condensate collector of claim 1, further comprising a valve connected to the drain.
 8. The condensate collector of claim 1, wherein the at least two connectors comprise elongated flexible connectors.
 9. The condensate collector of claim 8, wherein the elongated flexible connectors comprise chains.
 10. A combination air conditioner window unit and condensate collector, the combination comprising: an air conditioner window unit configured for attachment in a window; a condensate collector comprising: a pan comprising walled sides; at least two connectors, the at least two connectors located on opposite sides of the pan removably connecting the condensate collector to the air conditioner window unit; at least one sponge removably positioned within the pan; and a drain comprising an aperture in the pan.
 11. The combination of claim 10, wherein the at least two connectors of the condensate collector comprise at least two hooked members, and wherein the air conditioner window unit comprises vent apertures, and the hooked members of the condensate collector are removably connected to the vent apertures of the air conditioner window unit.
 12. A method of collecting condensate from an air conditioner window unit, the method comprising: providing a condensate collector comprising: a pan comprising walled sides; at least two connectors, the at least two connectors located on opposite sides of the pan; at least one sponge removably positioned within the pan; and a drain comprising an aperture in the pan; and removably connecting the condensate collector to the air conditioner window unit using the at least two connectors.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the drain comprises a valve, the method further comprising opening the valve to drain collected condensate from the pan.
 14. The method of claim 12, wherein the at least two connectors of the condensate collector comprises at least two hooked members, and wherein the air conditioner window unit comprises vent apertures, the method further comprising removably connecting the condensate collector to the air conditioner window unit by connecting the hooked members of the condensate collector to the vent apertures of the air conditioner window unit.
 15. The method of claim 12, wherein removably connecting the condensate collector comprises hanging the condensate collector from the air conditioner window unit using elongated flexible connectors. 